Feed-water heater and purifier.



PATENTED OCT. 2, 1906.

W. A. GIBSON. EEED WATER HEATER AND PURIEIER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE I2.1903. RENEWED' IBB. 25, 1905.

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INIIIHHHI' PATENTED OCT. 2, 1906. W. A. GIBSON. FEED WATER HEATER ANDPURIFIER. APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 12, 1903.- RBNBW'ED 11:13.25, 1905.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM ASA GIBSON, OF

PATENT OFFIOE.

MIISOATINE, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN FEED-WATER HEATER AND PURIFIER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 2, 1906.

Application led June l2, 1903. Renewed February 25,1905. Serial No.247,250.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM AsA GIBSON, v

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Muscatine,county of Muscatine, and State of Iowa, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Feedl/Vater Heaters, Separators, and Puriers forBoilers or the Like and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates more particularly to a feed-water heater,purifier, and separator designed to raise the feed-water for boilers orthe like to approximately the same temperature as the water in theboiler and separate all impurities therefrom before admission thereinto.

The invention is an improvement over my prior invention-feed-waterheater and purifierissued to the Gibson Heater Company, of Muscatine7Iowa, on the 9th day of December, 1902, and numbered 715,656.

Much difli culty in all localities has been experienced heretofore insecuring feed-water for boilers of requisite purity to prevent rapidscale formation. Such scale formation when it occurs not only seriouslymenaces the life of the boiler itself, but greatly decreases thesteaming power thereof owing to the absorption of heat by the interiorlining of scale and endangers the boiler, inasmuch as impacted scalepermits the plates to become burned. A few mechanical devices have beencontrived for the purpose of purifying the water from the scale-formingsediments or materials therein; but in most instances chemical solutionsare inserted into the boiler for the purpose of precipitating the scale-forming material before the same can deposit upon the tubes and iluesof the boiler. Inasmuch, however, as the matter contained in solution inthe water variesfrom time to time owing to surface drainage and inlocomotive-boilers owing to the fact that water is obtained fromdifferent and widely-separated sources or wells the chemicals cannot berelied upon, as the chemicals acting to precipitate 4certainscale-forining materials fail to act at all on others and in someinstances attack the boiler itself., frequently proving a source ofserious expense `and danger. Imperfect purification in the feed-waterheater also results in foaming, which seriously endangers the boiler andfrequently the engine as well, as a sufficient amount of water issometimes carried over to the cylinders to wreck the engine.

The object of this invention is to provide a mechanical device having nomoving parts whatever and acting to receive the water therein from anysource of supply and to deliver the same into the boiler at a hightemperature and with all deleterious or scaleforming ingredients removedtherefrom, and not only acting to prevent the formation of scale byexcluding the scale-forming material, but actually cleansing a congestedboiler from scale previously deposited, inasmuch as water admitted beingfree from impurities and at a very high temperature is in a condition toact as a solvent upon the scales already deposited.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described and morefully pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a deviceembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1.Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

In said drawings, A indicates a chambered head into which a pipe a,leading from the boiler pump or injector of any desired type, opensaxially and is in open communication and axial alinement with aninwardly-directed nozzle a of less diameter. Said nozzle .a/ is open atits inner end and extends through an inner wall A in the head A to nearan inner head B. Ooncentric with the nozzle a/ is the pipe d2, inclosingthe same and having a closed inner end, as shown in Fig. 1, and providedtherein with a rounded or convex baffle-plate as in advance of the openend of the pipe a and acting to spray the jet of water admitted throughsaid nozzle radially ,therefrom against the sides of ythe pipe a2.Secured on the outer side of the nozzle a is a rib (1,4, which extendsspirally around the same approximately from its ydelivery end .to theinner wall A', so that the water sprayed vfrom said baffle-plate isforced through the restricted annular passage between the nozl zle .c/and the pipe a2 with a rapid rotary ,mo-

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` disk E,

tion and discharged into the inner chamber of the head A with greatforce and in rapid rotation.

Integral with the head A is the forwardlydirected integral flange C,ground on its inner face to afford a joint and against which is rigidlybolted the collar C', ground complementary therewith, which engages thecasing tube or shell c, which at its other end is threaded into aforwardly-directed ange of the head B. Said casing incloses the pipesalready described and forms a steam-chamber into which live or exhauststeam, as preferred, is admitted through the pipe c', which opensthrough the iiange C and which, if live steam is used, communicates atits other end with the steam-dome of the boiler. The outer face of thehead B is ground to provide a joint, and the casing D of cast metal orother suitable material and complementally ground is rigidly securedthereto by the bolts b. Said casing Dis divided vertically by theintegral partition d into an inner chamber d', containing a centripetalseparating device and a smaller chamber d2, from whence the superheatedand purified water Hows to the boiler through a discharge-pipe F.

Arranged around the nozzle and pipe a a2 y within the shell or casing cand parallel therewith are the pipes c2, which at one end are threadedinto and open through the partition A and at the other end extendthrough the head B into the centripetal separatingchamber d of thecasing D and are each provided therein with a nozzle c3, directed ataiir angle therewith and obliquely against the inner periphery of thecasing. As shown, internally-screw-threaded bosses b2 are provided inthe separating-chamber d on the head B, and through which said pipes c2extend, and a follower-nut b3 is provided on each pipe c2 and havescrew-threaded en gagement in said bosses, thereby forming glands.

Opening through the partition d in the casing D and near the peripheryof said partition are a plurality of apertures, as shown in Fig. 3,through which the chambers d d2 communicate. A concave disk E is seatedin a central depression or seat in the inner face of the partition d andis provided with a central cavity e, communicating with a passage e4,extending downwardly therethrough and opening into a passage d3, leadingdownwardly through the partition d and communicating with a waste-piped4.

A spiral deflector E is seated at one end in a central recess in thehead B and bears at its other end against the disk E and comprises acentral conical core, the base of which rests against said head B andthe apex of which is directedv toward the central aperture in the asshown in Fig. l, and extends to a point intermediate between the head Band said disk. A plurality of spiral blades e', as shown fourin number,are secured on said core with the edges thereof turned at an angle withthe direction of the current of the waterzin the chamber d and at theirends bear against the disk E. Said blades are cut laway centrallyadjacent to said disk, providing passages therethrough leading into thecavity e, as shown in Figs. l and 3. Integral with the disk E and belowsaid spiral separator is provided an inwardly-projecting iiange e2,extending in a semicircle beneath the separa-- tor. Above the separatorand commencing Iwith the ends of the fiange c2 a plurality of radial orslightly-oblique ribs e3 are provided, against which the lighterprecipitate in the water impinges, and is thereby conducted to thewaste-pipe. A valved pipe G is connected in the bottom of they casing c,whereby the water of condensation is permitted to escape from theheater.

The operation is as follows: The water from the pump or injectoradmitted through the pipe ci is constricted in the nozzle a and sentwith great force against the bafiie-plate a3 and being intensely heatedby the superheated steam in the casing surrounding the same and pipe a2is quickly raised to a temperature approximately that of the steam insaid casing and is directed backwardly through the annular spiralpassage, as before described, into the chamber or mud-drum in the headA, The water thus forced along said passage is heated by contact withthe baffle-plate and the tube 0,2 to a sufficient temperature toprecipitate the most of the sediment and scale-forming materialscontained in solution therein in a condition not readily again dissolvedby the water, and by the innumerable currents set up in said passageevery particle of sedimentary matter is alternately heated and cooled inits passagealong the nozzle c until precipitation is complete, and thewater is delivered into the chamber in the head A. Here, inasmuch as theinlet-passage from the pipe a2 is considerably restricted and the outletpassages through thepipes c2 are materially larger, the water by itsrotation in said chamber around the cold nozzle a is cooled and tends toseparate the sediment and precipitated matter centrifugally, as theprecipitates heavier than the water are thrown to the outside and alarge portion thereof is left behind, settling to the bottom of thechamber and escaping through the waste-pipe a5, which of course isprovided with any desired fform of valve to regulate the dischargetherefrom. The water thus relieved of a large portion of its heavierimpurities is conducted and reheated under considerable pressure throughthe head B into the chamber d of the casing D and here is directedthrough the laterally-turned nozzle c3 against the side walls of thechamber, whirling rapidly around the same with great force and fillingsaid chamber except at the center. Owing to the rapidity of the rota-IOO IIO

tion the remaining solids in suspension,

which are lighter than the water, are forced to the center, whereimpinging against the spiral blades e, directed obliquely against thecurrent, said solids are directed thereby and by the ribs e3 and flangee2 into the central cavity in the disk E', from whence the separatedmaterial flowsoutwardly through the passage cl3 and waste-pipe d4. Thepurified water superheated during its passage through the pipe c2`escapes into the chamber 2 through the apertures near the periphery ofthe partition d and from thence passes through the pipe F into theboiler at about the temperature of the water therein. Obviously inasmuchas the waste-pipe a5 is situated at the periphery of the chamber in thehead A the rotating mass of water therein is deprived of its heaviersediments and impurities, owing to the same being thrown outwardly orcentrifugally by the rotation, while the water with the lighter solidsin solution, but freed of its heavier solids, passes into the chamber d,and inasmuch as the separator in said chamber is located centrally thewater heavier than the remaining solids suspended therein is thrown tothe periphery of the casing and the solids in suspension therein beingof less specific gravity and forced toward. the center and engage theblades e/ and are eliminated centripetally, as before described. Thewater is thus admitted into the boiler very hot and in such a state ofpurity that it slowly loosens the scale vfrom the interior of theboiler, permitting it to fall therefrom into position to be blown off orwashed out in the usual manner, and experience and practical tests havenot only shown the sufficiency of the device in heating and purifyingfeed-water, but as well in cleaning congested boilers of accumulatedscale.

I have described but one of many ways in which my invention may beembodied, and it is obvious that the form, shape, and size of theconstruction may vary and heat may be applied thereto in other ways thanherein described, and it is also obvious that the same may be used inconnection with any type of boiler and for any desired purpose orposition, and I do not desire to be limited to the specific details ofconstruction herein described, inasmuch as many details of constructionmay be varied without departing from the principle of this invention.

I claim as my inventionl. In a heater and purifier the combination withan inlet-pipe and means for forcing the fluid to be heated therethrough7of a restricted nozzle continuous with the inletpipe, a baffle-plateopposite the end of the nozzle, means for heating the bafHe-plate to ahigh temperature, a separating-chamber, an annular spiral passageconcentric with said nozzle and having one hot and one cold wall andleading from said baffle-plate into the Aseparating-chamber anddelivering the heated water thereinto under rapid gyratory motion, adischarge-pipe in the bottom of the separating-chamber through which theheavier solids in suspension escape, superheatingpipes through which thewater flows from the 'separating-chamber and a plurality of curvedblades adjacent the discharge end of said pipes.

2. In a feed-water heater and purifier the combination with aninlet-pipe of a restricted nozzle thereon, means for spraying andheating to a high temperature the water admitted therethrough, a spiral,restricted passage through which the heated water is passe between aninner cold wall and an outer hot wall, a centrifugal separating-chamberinto which said water is delivered with rotary motion, a waste-pipeconnected peripherally in the wall of the chamber and from which theheavier solids in suspension escape, a centripetal separating-chamber,superheatingpipes leading from the centrifugal chamber,

Vinto the centripetal separating-chamber,`

means for directing the water therefrom obliquely against the walls ofsaid chamber,

.and means located centrally of said chamber acting to divert thelighter solids in suspension into a discharge-passage.

3. A water heater and purifier provided with means for admitting coldwater under pressure thereinto, and first spraying and highly heatingthe same, then partly cooling and delivering the same with rotary motioninto a centrifugal separating-chamber provided with means permittingtheseparation of the heavier solids in suspension therefrom, means foragain highly heating the Water, a' centripetally-operatingseparating-chamber into which the heated water is delivered with agyratory movement, a defiector located centrally of said chamber andacting to remove the lighter solids in suspension, said chamber havingperipherally-disposed apertures through which the heated and purifiedwater escapes to the boiler under pressure.

4. The combination in a water heater and urifier of means for removingthe heavier solids therefrom, a separating chamber, means forsuperheating the water thereafter and delivering the same with greatforce obliquely against the sides of said separatingchamber, a spiraldeflector located axially of said chamber and having its edges presentedto the whirling mass of water and acting to direct the lighterimpurities therefrom into a passage opening axially from said chamber,said separating-chamber having peripherally-disposed exit-passagesleading to the boiler-feed pipe.

5. The combination in a .boiler-feed heater and purifier of means forhighly heating the water and directing the same alternately against ahot and a cold surface, precipitating the solids in suspension thereby,a sepadSo IOO

rating-chamber into which the water is delivered under high rotarymotion, a blow-off pipe leading therefrom and from whence the saidchamber and the boiler.

heavier solids are delivered, an auxiliary centripetally-operatingseparating-chamber and a pipe leading therefrom to the boiler or thelike, superheating-pipes from whence the water is conducted into saidauxiliary separating-chamber.

6. The combination withmeans acting to precipitate'the solids fromfeed-water of a centripetally-cperating separating-chamber connectedtherewith and into which the water is delivered therefrom,spirally-curved blades located centrally therein and acting to separatefrom said water the solids in suspension and to deliver the same fromthe heater, anda passage communicating with 7. The combination in awater heater and purifier, of means acting to precipitate the solidstherein, a mud-drum in which a part of the solids are separated andremoved, superheating pipes leading therefrom, a separating-chamber intowhich said pipes open obliquely and a defiector located therein actingto remove the remaining solids therefrom.

S.- The combination with a water heater and purifier acting toprecipitate the solids contained in solution in the water and to removethe heavier solids therefrom, of a separating-chamber,superheating-pipes acting to deliver the partly-purified water obliquelyinto said separating-chamber under pressure and producing acentrifugally-lowing cig*- rent of high velocity, a rigid deiiector insaid chamber acting to draw the impurities inwardly to acentrally-located exit-passage, tnd an outlet-pipe leading to the boileror the ike.

9. The combination with a water heater and separator of reheater-pipesleading therefrom, a separator-chamber into which said pipes openobliquely and outwardly acting to produce rotary motion -in the watertherein, of a deflector located axially of said chamber and having itsedges directed against the current on the inner side and acting toengage the precipitated solids in the current and direct the same to anexit-aperture at the axis of said chamber and discharge-passages nearthe periphery of the chamber communicating with the boiler or the like.

10. Thel combination with a water heater and purifier acting to highlyheat the water and precipitate the solids therein and to eliminate theheavier solids centrifugally, of a separating-chamber,superheating-pipes acting to deliver the heated and partly-purifiedwater thereinto, axially-disposed separating means in said chamberacting to draw the remainino solids inwardly to a point of dischargeIocated axially of the chamber, and a pipe communicating with saidchamber and the boiler or the like.

1 1. In a device of the class described a separating chamber comprisinga cylindrical shell, inlet-passages opening thereinto and directlyobliquely against the side wall thereof, a/spiral deiiector in saidchamber, a deflecting-plate at the end of the chamber having a centralexit-aperture therein and registering with the end of said deiiector anda deliverypipe opening from said chamber.

12. In a device of the class described the combination with acentrifugal separatingchamber, of means for delivering water thereintowith a gyratory motion, a centripetal' separating-chamber,superheating-pipes connecting said chambers, a steam-chest inclosingsaid pipes, a laterally-directed nozzle on said pipes, within thecentripetal chamber, a deflector in said chamber and means for carryingoff the separated solids.

13. The combination in a water heater and purifier of a centrifugalseparating-chamber, means for delivering water thereinto with a gyratorymotion, a centripetal separatingchamber, a plurality ofsuperheating-pipes connecting said chambers and extending into thecentripetal chamber, a laterally-directed nozzle on each pipe, anaxially-disposed spiral deflector in said centripetal chamber, alradially-ribbed disk and means thereon for collecting and dischargingthe separated solids.

14. The combination in a water heater and purifier, of a centrifugalseparating-chamber, a casing having an outer chamber therein and aninner centripetal separating-chamber, a plurality of superheating-pipesconnecting said centrifugal chamber with said centripetaI separatingchamber, means for separating and forcing solid matter from the water tothe center of said chamber through a discharge-exit and forcing thepurified water to the outer side of said chamber and into said outerchamber.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM ASA GIBSON.

Witnesses:

JAMES N. YOUNG, C. W. HILLS.

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